Giving Thought

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Latest Episodes:

DVD Extra: Louise Pulford from SIX poses some questions to Rhod Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

In this bonus DVD extra mini-episode, Louise Pulford - CEO of the Social Innovation Exchange (SIX) - turns the table on our host, Rhod Davies, and asks him for his thoughts on key trends affecting philanthropy now and post-pandemic.

The Current and Future State of Philanthropy, with Louise Pulford, Josiane Smith & Dame Julia Unwin Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we talk to Louise Pulford, Josiane Smith and Dame Julia Unwin about the findings from a new global horizon scan by the Social Innovation Exchange (SIX), looking at the challenges and opportunities facing philanthropy post-Covid. In a wide-ranging conversation we discussed:

How many trends in philanthropic funding we are seeing during the pandemic will lead to longer-term changes? How can we be more intentional about pursuing those we want to see?
How has the pandemic accelerated or altered existing debates about philanthropy?
What can we learn from historical examples of how philanthropy has responded to crises? Or from places in the world where crisis response is part of the normal role for philanthropy?
To what extent is it true that "what we did before a crisis is who we are in a crisis"? i.e. is the response of different funders a reflection of their existing ethos and practice, or have some genuinely changed what they do?
How do funders balance the immediate short-term demands of a crisis with their role in supporting issues over the longer-term?
Has the pandemic affected relationships between philanthropic funders and government around the world? If so, for better or worse?
We are seeing the emergence of new organisational models within civil society, including many that look less like traditional hierarchies and more like networks. What opportunities and challenges might this bring?
We are also seeing new approaches such as participatory grantmaking, which seek to shift power as well as money towards recipients, gain traction? Will this be a big trend in coming years?
Do charities and funders need to be more transparent? If so, why and about what? Who does it benefit?
What is the core role of philanthropy within society which differentiates it from either state or market provision?
What should we make of criticisms that since philanthropy is to some extent a product of structural inequality, it can never truly be part of the solution? Do some donors and funders recognise the challenges and are genuinely pursuing structural change?
Should cross-cutting issues such as the climate crisis or racial justice not be seen as "causes", but as factors that all funders need to take into account in their work?
How can we ensure funders and CSOs are in a better position to address future crises?

Related Links:

The Fund for Global Human Rights
Regan's Alliance article "Dismantling inequality must be part of the pandemic response"
Regan's piece for Thomson Reuters Foundation News, "Community activists and action are key to the COVID-19 response"
Giving Thought podcast on "Philanthropy, Civil Rights & Movement Capture" with Megan Ming Francis
Giving Thought podcast on Social Change philanthropy with Julie Broome from Ariadne Network
Giving Thought podcast on "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion"
Rhodri's Alliance article "The history of philanthropy & social movements for diversity, equity and inclusion"
CAF Giving Thought discussion paper, 'From the Margins to the Mainstream: Philanthropy and social movements for diversity, equity & inclusion in society"
Rhodri's paper, "Networking Opportunities: rediscovering decentralisation in philanthropy?"

Charitable Legacy Giving, with Rob Cope Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

In this episode we chat to Rob Cope, Director of Remember A Charity, about charitable legacy gifts and legacy fundraising: what they are, what role they play in the overall charity landscape and how they have changed during the COVID pandemic. Including

How big a part of the landscape for charitable giving in the UK are legacies? How has this changed over time?
If legacies have been a growth area in recent years (as many figures suggest), why is this? Is there greater awareness, more fundraising, or are people simply more likely to leave wills?
What particular role do legacies play in the overall funding mix for charities? (i.e. what is their unique value?)
Why do people leave legacies? How to fundraisers tap into some of the complex psychological drivers?
How do legacy gifts relate to other forms of giving at an individual level? (i.e. do most legacy gifts come from people who already give in other ways, or do they come instead of other gifts?)
Does discomfort when it comes to talking about death present an ongoing barrier to legacy fundraising?
Does uncertainty about the legal status of legacy gifts (and a number of high-profile cases of legal challenge) present a risk?
How has the COVID crisis affect the charitable legacy market?
Has increases awareness of mortality resulted in more will-making (and consequently more legacy gifts?)
Have there been issues with existing legacy gifts during the crisis? (Either in terms of sustaining them, or finalising them in some cases).
What effect has the impact of the pandemic on normal end-of-life processes such as funerals had on legacy giving? (E.g. has it resulted in more in-memory gifts from those who have been unable to commemorate the loss of loved ones properly?)
How has new legacy fundraising been affected by lockdown measures and restrictions on physical interaction?
Have fundraisers had to be more sensitive to the challenges of discussing legacy gifts at a time when many older people have felt particularly nervous or afraid as a result of the pandemic?
What impact might the short and medium term economic downturn caused by the pandemic have on the legacy market?

Related Links:

Remember A Charity's website
Remember A Charity on Twitter
Civil Society article: The Wombles to feature in this year's Remember A Charity Week campaign
Our CAF Giving Thought podcast episode "Philanthropy, Death & Taxes Part 1"
CAF Giving Thought blog, "Millions Now Giving Will Never Die: Life Extension, Whole-Brain Emulation and Philanthropy"

European Philanthropy during & after COVID Part 4 - Carola Carazzone Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

In this episode - the fourth in our mini-series on "European philanthropy during and after COVID" – we speak to Carola Carazzone, Secretary General of Assifero, about philanthropy in Italy and beyond. Including

What is the history and current context for philanthropy in Italy?
How does this differ from the cultures, histories and legal/policy environments for philanthropy in other places across Europe?
Are there commonalties? I.e. is it meaningful to talk about "European philanthropy"?
What is the balance between local, regional, national and international approaches in Italian philanthropic funding?
What is the attitude of the Italian government towards philanthropy?
What kind of philanthropic responses to the covid-19 crisis have we seen in Italy? What challenges have they faced?
What is the role of infrastructure bodies in helping civil society organisations and funders navigate and adapt to a rapidly-changing environment?
Has the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to coordinate responses effectively increased awareness of the value of infrastructure?
What elements of infrastructure are required for a healthy culture of philanthropy and a vibrant civil society?
Do we need to make a renewed case for the value of infrastructure and the need to ensure it is properly funded?

Related Links:

Assifero
The data mapping of the philanthropic response to COVID-19 I Italy ("Le risposte della Filantropia al COVID-19"
Carola's 2020 Alliance article "Flexibility and freedom of foundation funding can boost third sector during Coronavirus crisis"
Carola's 2018 Alliance article "Debunking two myths to avoid agony in Italian civil society"
Carola's 2020 piece for WINGS "Questions are the answer". This is our time to shape the world we want- everyone can be a change maker.'
Our recent CAF paper on European policy responses to COVID-19

European Philanthropy during & after COVID Part 3 - Julie Broome Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

In this episode - the third in our mini-series on "European philanthropy during and after COVID" – we talk to Julie Broome, Director of the Ariadne network about philanthropic funding for social change and rights issues now and in the future. Including:

What is social change funding? What are its particular features?
Is it limited to a niche subset of funders, or something that all can do to some extent?
What is the history and current landscape for social change and rights-focussed philanthropy across Europe?
How do the cultures, histories and legal/policy environments for philanthropy vary across Europe? How does this affect the work of social change funders?
What kind of responses have we seen from social change funders across Europe to the challenges posed by covid-19?
Has Covid-19 (and government responses to it) exacerbated existing rights issues?
Will we see new rights issues emerge as the political imperatives of the pandemic lead to governments either accidentally or deliberating introducing new measures (e.g. on data collection and usage) that could further close the space for civil society in the future?
What is the role of infrastructure and support organisations in helping civil society organisations and funders navigate and adapt to a rapidly-changing environment?
Has the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to coordinate responses effectively increased awareness of the value of infrastructure?
What elements of infrastructure are required for a healthy culture of philanthropy and a vibrant civil society?
Do we need to make a renewed case for the value of infrastructure and the need to ensure it is properly funded?
Major challenges like the climate crisis, global inequality or the impact of technological development raise difficult questions about whether a pragmatic approach of working with existing systems can ever be enough; or whether we need to embrace more radical, transformative change efforts. How do social change and rights funders approach this thorny problem?
We are seeing particular focus right now on the idea of social change movements, many of which have decentralised or non-hierarchical governance models (e.g. XR, #MeToo etc). Are there challenges for traditional funders in engaging with such movements? How can social change funders with experience in this area help others to navigate the challenges?
Why is core-cost funding so important when supporting social change movements?

Related Links:

Ariadne
Ariadne 2020 Forecast
Rhod's Alliance article on "The history of philanthropy & social movements for diversity, equity and inclusion"
Our Giving Thought discussion paper From the Margins to the Mainstream: Philanthropy and social movements for diversity, equity & inclusion in society
Our recent CAF paper on European policy responses to COVID-19

European Philanthropy during and after COVID Part 2: James Magowan Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

In this episode - the second in our mini-series on "European philanthropy during and after COVID" – we talk to James Magowan from The European Community Foundation Initiative about the unique role of Community Foundations (CF) in the pandemic response and beyond. Including

What is ECFI and what does it do?
What is the history and current landscape for CFs across Europe?
How do the cultures, histories and legal/policy environments for philanthropy vary across Europe? How does this affect the make-up of CFs in different places?
Does this present any challenges in terms of positioning CFs as a coherent "movement"?
Are there commonalties? I.e. is it meaningful to talk about "European philanthropy"?
What kind of philanthropic responses have we seen across Europe to the challenges posed by covid-19? What role have CFs played?
Has the focus on CFs during the pandemic been too transactional (i.e. focused on their role as distributors of funding), and does this risk undermining their other roles as community anchors and advocates?
What is the role of infrastructure bodies in helping civil society organisations and funders navigate and adapt to a rapidly-changing environment?
What elements of infrastructure are required for a healthy culture of philanthropy and a vibrant civil society?
Should CFs be considered as "infrastructure"?
Has the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to coordinate responses effectively increased awareness of the value of infrastructure?
Do we need to make a renewed case for the value of infrastructure and the need to ensure it is properly funded?

Related Links:

European Philanthropy during & after COVID Part 1: Max von Abendroth & Rosa Gallego Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

This episode kicks off a mini-series on European philanthropy during and after COVID-19 pandemic, exploring how philanthropic funders have responded to the crisis and how it might affect philanthropy longer term. Our first conversation is with Max von Abendroth, Director of DAFNE, and Rosa Gallego, Director of International Relations at the Spanish Association of Foundations. In a wide-ranging chat we covered many fascinating topics including:

The rich and varied history of philanthropy across Europe and how this has shaped the cultures of philanthropy and the legal and regulatory environments we see today.
Are there more similarities or differences between philanthropy in different parts of Europe? To what extent does it make sense to talk about "European philanthropy"?
How much philanthropy takes place at a local, national or international level in Europe?
What has the philanthropic response across Europe to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic been like?
What particular role have community foundations played?
What are funders doing to address the stark inequalities that have been laid bare by the pandemic?
Are funders and CSOs collaborating more as a result of the crisis? How can we build on this longer term?
Will the short-term shift towards funding core costs result in longer-term changes?
How can philanthropic funders make better use of data?
Are new laws and restrictions imposed by governments to address the public health challenges of the pandemic resulting in a furthering shrinking of civic space in some countries? How concerned should we be?
Has the crisis highlighted the importance of philanthropic infrastructure?
What are the elements of a healthy ecosystem of philanthropy infrastructure?
Should philanthropy support organisations merely reflect the views and interests of their members, or can they play a leadership role and provide constructive challenge?
How do we ensure that infrastructure is sustainable over the longer term?